Related
Hey guys,
I have edited this because the developer has showed me how to do what I was asking... so for your sake, I will spare you my previous pain, skip to Joel's response lower down...
have fun!
Mark.
I`ve tried around for this but found nothing. My backup pro is supposed to backup your home screen , but never worked for me. maybe it works on clean android without sense. I`ve tried titanium , but never thought that was the greatest either. Usually i restore apps from my backup ,and then go into app manager to find each in market and install again.
The missing backup of scenes in sense is it`s greatest fault if you ask me.
The best way to backup and restore everything is by using Titanium Backup, Also you could use SMS Backup & Restore for text messages.
mikepheng said:
The best way to backup and restore everything is by using Titanium Backup, Also you could use SMS Backup & Restore for text messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Mike
The trouble is that Titanium does not backup your Android Home screen/ Sense home screen layouts... It may do if you restore the whole system info, but you should never do that when upgrading or using a different ROM because you might be installing or replacing files which are different/newer etc... and would cause stability problems. I agree RUI, A basic app or button in Titanium to backup your screen layouts is a major omission IMO.
Mark.
Hi livegod,
You can backup the Sense "Scenes" by filtering for System items (MENU -> Filters) and then selecting the item named "[DESKTOP] HTC Sense 1.00".
Note that after restoring such system items, a reboot is needed for the changes to take effect.
In Titanium Backup, about 99% of the phone's useful data is included in the list of items. You just need to pick the right ones
Usually you use Batch mode to backup all the *user* apps, and then you backup most green *system* items one by one.
For restoring you don't need to do it one by one: just open MENU->Batch, scroll a bit and use "Restore missing apps + all system data". That should pretty much do it in 1 click - or a few more clicks if you don't have the Donate version.
Thanks and have fun !
joel.bourquard said:
Hi livegod,
You can backup the Sense "Scenes" by filtering for System items (MENU -> Filters) and then selecting the item named "[DESKTOP] HTC Sense 1.00".
Thanks and have fun !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Joel, that works!!!
I have bought your app now, its sooo worth it... especially since restoring ALL my apps is automatic, no need to press INSTALL and DONE with each app... and then saving my Sense Scenes is brilliant.
WRT Email settings, I tried restoring two RED items Google Mail 1.3 and Google Storage 2.1 and Mail 2.0 and Mail sidget 2.1, but my Mail programme still tells me there are no accounts set up yet. It would be great to aviod having to set up all the accounts again, Mail and Facebook particularly. I cant find useful restore data for either though...
Thanks,
Mark.
Hi Joel,
do you know if titanium pro can restore-install to SD card instead of internal drive?
tx
Mark.
Sent from my Hero using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
apps2sd is transparent for the system. you either use it or don't, you can not choose each time. if you use it titanium backup will install the apps there.
if that is what you meant...
kendong2 said:
apps2sd is transparent for the system. you either use it or don't, you can not choose each time. if you use it titanium backup will install the apps there.
if that is what you meant...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
well, I have a rom which is supposed to be app2sd but my system only has 16mb left! so I am wondering if I backup my apps in Titanium, UNINSTALL all and then REinstall, would Titanium install them on the SD instead of the internal memory?
tx
Mark
Has anyone noticed that when you restore your home screen, there are 2 copies of each shortcut/icon/folder/etc on the screen?
I guess it's still easier than having to reconfigure our home screens but it would be cool if it didn't create duplicate copies of everything.
Other than that, great app!
I haven't tested the "auto" restore tip yet. A few more bugs worked out and I'm close to paying the author for this great app!
Thanks!
Oops, I just noticed that this isn't the Evo section (Google search took me here).
Neo3D said:
Has anyone noticed that when you restore your home screen, there are 2 copies of each shortcut/icon/folder/etc on the screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got that when I had basically selected *everything* to back up.
After nandroid restoring, when I went back and just backed up the recommended user apps and sys data, the TB restore went fine with only one copy.
I'll see how it works next time I need to do it.
With updates of ROMs being released so quickly, and not wanting to update rather than flash the full ROM, I'm going to start backing up using Titanium Backup.
I am quite happy to backup absolutely everything, but am cautious about restoring things like system settings. Ideally what I would like is to be able to restore all the apps that I had before, their data, and possibly the layout of my homescreens.
How would I do this?
Is there anything I should probably not restore that could mess things up?
Thanks a lot for any replies.
You can backup all apps and data and then restore them later, without worrying about side-effects. This backup will include your launcher and therefore screen layouts, but will not include widgets. You'll need to add them again manually after you restore (it's a permission thing - nothing other that your is allowed to put widgets on your home screens).
System settings is a different story. If you're going from one ROM to another, or changing FW, there could be conflicts and it could cause problems. I tend to always have a backup and only restore system settings if I need to factory reset for some reason.
If you haven't already, I'd strongly recommend paying for the pro version, as it can become very boring having to click a couple of buttons for every app you want to restore. The pro version does all apps without the need for interaction.
The easiest way is this: go into titanium backup and press the menu bitten on your phone. Then press batch. Then look for something that says backup all user apps. Click the bitten next to that that says run. Then check 'backup user apps + data' and then uncheck any apps you don't want backed up, and then click run on the bottom. This will backup all your downloaded apps and data, like saved games, etc. You can also do the same things for system apps, but I can't guarantee that they will all work. Hope this helps
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
johncmolyneux said:
If you haven't already, I'd strongly recommend paying for the pro version, as it can become very boring having to click a couple of buttons for every app you want to restore. The pro version does all apps without the need for interaction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you click batch all your apps are selected so you can backup all your apps with 1 clicks, even with the unpaid version. However with the paid version you can set up scheduled backups so it will backup automatically every week, or whenever you set it to
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
XD) said:
If you click batch all your apps are selected so you can backup all your apps with 1 clicks, even with the unpaid version. However with the paid version you can set up scheduled backups so it will backup automatically every week, or whenever you set it to
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was talking about restoring, not backing up. Have you ever restored 200 apps with the unpaid version? It's VERY boring
johncmolyneux said:
You can backup all apps and data and then restore them later, without worrying about side-effects. This backup will include your launcher and therefore screen layouts, but will not include widgets. You'll need to add them again manually after you restore (it's a permission thing - nothing other that your is allowed to put widgets on your home screens).
System settings is a different story. If you're going from one ROM to another, or changing FW, there could be conflicts and it could cause problems. I tend to always have a backup and only restore system settings if I need to factory reset for some reason.
If you haven't already, I'd strongly recommend paying for the pro version, as it can become very boring having to click a couple of buttons for every app you want to restore. The pro version does all apps without the need for interaction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks XD) but I'm talking more about the restore aspect.
@johncmolyneux
Thanks for your help. So I'm thinking the process will be along the lines of:
backup/restore > batch > backup all user apps
then
batch > restore missing apps with data > selecting app+ data
I will almost certainly buy the pro version of this app, as I'll be using it a lot.
One thing I am particularly anal about is restoring my vast collection of texts going back about 3 years - will restoring the GoSMS app and its data include all these. Probably obvious but I thought I'd ask just to make sure.
Also, I keep getting a message saying that I should check usb debugging as it might cause problems. What's that all about?
Thanks again.
str0ppy said:
Thanks XD) but I'm talking more about the restore aspect.
@johncmolyneux
Thanks for your help. So I'm thinking the process will be along the lines of:
backup/restore > batch > backup all user apps
then
batch > restore missing apps with data > selecting app+ data
I will almost certainly buy the pro version of this app, as I'll be using it a lot.
One thing I am particularly anal about is restoring my vast collection of texts going back about 3 years - will restoring the GoSMS app and its data include all these. Probably obvious but I thought I'd ask just to make sure.
Also, I keep getting a message saying that I should check usb debugging as it might cause problems. What's that all about?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the process mate - you've got it.
Titanium Backup requires that you have USB debugging enabled, which you get to via Settings, Applications, Development.
As for backing up and restoring text messages, I simply could not recommend any higher an application called SMS Backup+ (free in the Market). It creates a folder in your Gmail account and automatically uploads all text messages to that folder. You can do a restore whenever you like. It's seamless and works perfectly. If you want to keep SMS then look no further! I've gone over easily 30 ROM flashes with it, and now a new phone, and have never lost a single message.
It also means, of course, that you can access you SMS from any browser, which is nice (Can't send from gmail though.)
johncmolyneux said:
That's the process mate - you've got it.
Titanium Backup requires that you have USB debugging enabled, which you get to via Settings, Applications, Development.
As for backing up and restoring text messages, I simply could not recommend any higher an application called SMS Backup+ (free in the Market). It creates a folder in your Gmail account and automatically uploads all text messages to that folder. You can do a restore whenever you like. It's seamless and works perfectly. If you want to keep SMS then look no further! I've gone over easily 30 ROM flashes with it, and now a new phone, and have never lost a single message.
It also means, of course, that you can access you SMS from any browser, which is nice (Can't send from gmail though.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, last question. Can I just have usb debugging enabled at the time that I backup and at the time that I restore. I prefer to not have it checked generally - lots of annoying pop up messages on my PC at work etc...
str0ppy said:
Ok, last question. Can I just have usb debugging enabled at the time that I backup and at the time that I restore. I prefer to not have it checked generally - lots of annoying pop up messages on my PC at work etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long time since I've clicked "thanks" instead of quote! Have a thanks
Yes mate - you can just turn it on and off for Titanium.
johncmolyneux said:
Long time since I've clicked "thanks" instead of quote! Have a thanks
Yes mate - you can just turn it on and off for Titanium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Top man. Thanks again.
str0ppy said:
Top man. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem mate. Enjoy
Ok so one last question. I understand that Titanium Backup will save the data for my third party launcher, so will preserver all the homescreen arrangments. But if I use TouchWiz, would that count as a system and therefore not preserved if I only backed up and restored user apps and data?
Cheers.
str0ppy said:
Ok so one last question. I understand that Titanium Backup will save the data for my third party launcher, so will preserver all the homescreen arrangments. But if I use TouchWiz, would that count as a system and therefore not preserved if I only backed up and restored user apps and data?
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be able to backup and restore the data for touchwizz, not tried.
As far as system data, if the item is green in titanium is ok to restore, if its red, beware.
AFAIK, TouchWiz is just another launcher, so you should be okay to restore, but pay attention to the item colour, as mentioned by veyka.
Ok thanks a lot. Man of many questions at the moment, quite new to Android.
So last one...
When I set up the OS from scratch after a flash, when I get the option to either backup/restore to my Google account, what actually gets backed up then?
Cheers.
str0ppy said:
Ok thanks a lot. Man of many questions at the moment, quite new to Android.
So last one...
When I set up the OS from scratch after a flash, when I get the option to either backup/restore to my Google account, what actually gets backed up then?
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about this one as I've seen different things happen. Sometimes, I've had apps installed again after a new ROM flash, but other times that hasn't happened. I've also had inconsistent results with restoring wifi settings. The only thing I generally rely on Google to store is my contacts. Other than that, I use Titanium for everything, just to be sure.
johncmolyneux said:
I'm not sure about this one as I've seen different things happen. Sometimes, I've had apps installed again after a new ROM flash, but other times that hasn't happened. I've also had inconsistent results with restoring wifi settings. The only thing I generally rely on Google to store is my contacts. Other than that, I use Titanium for everything, just to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks.
Hi
I flashed the ParanoidAndroid 2.55cm (4.1.2):
I have Apex launcher pro and Titanium Backup ★ root pro.I made a TB backup in cm9 . I restored all of apps and data and it went well on ParanoidAndroid 2.55cm (4.1.2):. But
I would like to know how to restore all the widgets on ParanoidAndroid 2.55cm with Apex launcher pro home screens ?
And boom, this baby is faster. It was weird, apps would load pretty slow, internet browsing SUCKED, general slowness and battery drain and whatnot. Now, it's SUPER fast. Everything works great, except my shortcut keys for the dock, which is weird. But even the battery last so much longer. I was able to do root again, then did voodoo rootkeeper. Then I installed titanium backup (after moving the folder off the SD card along with whatever else you want to keep) and restored the apps, but app only, not data (except for a few key ones). It seemed to work for the most part and this baby works like a charm. I had 3.2 and updated to 4.0 so maybe a wipe is something you might consider if you're TF is feeling slow, even in performance mode.
Thanks. Helpful for me because I've been considering doing the same thing after the. 19 update that's supposed to be coming. I feel like all of the past updates which were more designed for bug fixes have been putting more of a damper on the performance. With this upcoming update, it looks like they are now actually focusing on features and user experience, so I want to make sure that I don't associate those 'improvements' with lackluster behavior I've noticed since a couple updates ago.
For the first time ever, I experienced 3 random reboots in the same day a couple days ago. I hugged Optimus and told it not to worry. Everything will be okay.
BUYMECAR said:
Thanks. Helpful for me because I've been considering doing the same thing after the. 19 update that's supposed to be coming. I feel like all of the past updates which were more designed for bug fixes have been putting more of a damper on the performance. With this upcoming update, it looks like they are now actually focusing on features and user experience, so I want to make sure that I don't associate those 'improvements' with lackluster behavior I've noticed since a couple updates ago.
For the first time ever, I experienced 3 random reboots in the same day a couple days ago. I hugged Optimus and told it not to worry. Everything will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow.... just wow
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Im sorry for asking, i am such a noob with android, i have my prime now for a few weeks, and what do you mean with a 'wipe' ?
Factory restore or?
Thanks for listening,
Severion said:
Im sorry for asking, i am such a noob with android, i have my prime now for a few weeks, and what do you mean with a 'wipe' ?
Factory restore or?
Thanks for listening,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much. It's a factory reset. It's a real pain because you have to reinstall everything from scratch.
UNLESS you have root and a good backup utility like Titanium Backup.
Then you wipe, get root (back), install Titanium, and restore you system settings, apps, and data.
I am going to take the chance on posting this and getting flamed because people already know, if you don't know I would appreciate the thanks.
Titanium is great for keeping important data but a better and easier way to get a real fresh start after wipe is appbrain.
Do Titanium full backup
install appbrain and fast web install
sync
login to appbrain online and rename your prime list to old
wipe/factory reset
reinstall appbrain and fast web install be sure to enable fast web install
sync
log in to your appbrain account and copy the apps from old to your new device
open appbrain on device
sync
install
watch a movie while all your apps download without needing you
restore data from titanium where needed, restore programs that are not in the market
????
profit
The difference here is that you don't restore any corrupted programs from Titanium
Doesn't anyone know how the built-in ASUS app backup works? Is it affected by the factory reset?
^ im curious on this also. im willing to try this.
BUYMECAR said:
Doesn't anyone know how the built-in ASUS app backup works? Is it affected by the factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to say it does, since it wipes the SD card. But if you put a microSD or regular SD you should be able to save to that instead, then restore from that after. It might be as good as Titanium, or app brain, I think part of the key is not restoring data, apps only.
1SiK1500 said:
^ im curious on this also. im willing to try this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works a treat. I used it. The only thing is if savedata (like levels in games) is saved on sd, you are going to loose it. But it can be always manually copied. Any other app which saves logins and such in /data (i think it's /data will be fine). And no root needed.
To OP, done it before. No difference. My TFP never been sluggish, just suffers from occasional browser freeze, well, more than occasional, and reboots when certain apps fc. Wipe didn't fix that.
Sent through the wormhole from my CoinInserted Sensation OG.
so after factory reset, i can go google play and reinstall all my old previously bought apps? or i need to pay for it again?
Severion said:
so after factory reset, i can go google play and reinstall all my old previously bought apps? or i need to pay for it again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol yeah, you can re-download your apps It keeps up with everything you pay for and even with most of the free stuff you install. Easier route may be to use ASUS's App Backup or if you're rooted Titanium Backup (Pro is worth it).
After doing a full wipe at lunch i can confirm my prime seems much snappier. Also my dolphin browser works flawless finally. Asus back up did not work for me.
1SiK1500 said:
After doing a full wipe at lunch i can confirm my prime seems much snappier. Also my dolphin browser works flawless finally. Asus back up did not work for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me neither. Can anyone explain in detail how you use Asus backup? I'm almost tempted to root just for Titanium at this point
How is your prime after the fresh wipe?
Lyvewire said:
Me neither. Can anyone explain in detail how you use Asus backup? I'm almost tempted to root just for Titanium at this point
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asus backup looks fairly simple. Just open the app, then choose the apps you want to backup. There is a check for data only or data and application near the top right. Choose data and app if you want both, but for some reason you can only do 600MB, not sure why. But if you have it under that (I unchecked all my games and got it low enough) then you can hit the backup button on the top, which then has a (Checkbox) option to also save to the microsd or SD card plugged in
ic. Very informative.
Haven't played with the SD slot on the Prime so I guess I have a reason now =)
You also have an option to save a copy to the MicroSD, card if it's mounted. I'm in the process of a wipe now and will let you know about the restore using the ASUS backup. I've used TB in the past but haven't rooted this unit yet and so can only speak to the ASUS backup.
dude2k5 said:
Asus backup looks fairly simple. Just open the app, then choose the apps you want to backup. There is a check for data only or data and application near the top right. Choose data and app if you want both, but for some reason you can only do 600MB, not sure why. But if you have it under that (I unchecked all my games and got it low enough) then you can hit the backup button on the top, which then has a (Checkbox) option to also save to the microsd or SD card plugged in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this worked for me!!! thanks for the info
BUYMECAR said:
Doesn't anyone know how the built-in ASUS app backup works? Is it affected by the factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be just a little more precise, the ASUS backup app creates a file in the ASUS folder that can be copied to a PC, USB drive, to the cloud, or whatever, and then copied back to the same folder when the wipe is done. Then apps and data can be selectively restored. Works well.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
I have a new Galaxy Note running ICS, successfully rooted and with Titanium Backup installed.
TB opens fine and appears to be in order, but I have no "Batch" command. I've read support pages and watched YouTube videos; the option simply isn't in the menu as it should be. Can anyone offer any suggestions, please?
Click on backup/restore and then press the menu button where by it will show you the batch option for backup and restore.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA
Thanks, but I'm afraid no, it doesn't! The backup/restore menu offers me:
Help & Support
Market capital's
Preferences
Overview of app storage use
Clean up the Dalvik cache
Integrate sys Dalvik into ROM
Undo sys Dalvik integration
Sends data
Import backup
Extract from nandroid backup
Create "update.zip"
Manage Android ID
Refresh app list
Reload application
and
Reboots the device
but not "batch" :crying:
Its the ICON on the top with a rectangle and an arrow symbol on it. Just before the ICS context menu.
The icon on the top of what?!
I'm attaching three screenshots, one showing the backup/Restore screen, the other two showing its menu.
^ In the first pic, it's the 'tick' icon, right next to the search icon.
The icon on the top of what?!
I'm attaching three screenshots, one showing the backup/Restore screen, the other two showing its menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In your first screenshot, top right you've got the search icon, the one just to the right of that with the tick is the one you want
Edit: waaay to slow should have refreshed before replying...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Star! Thank you VERY much. Problem solved, with gratitude @
Two separate tutorials that I watched on YouTube must've been older versions as their menus looked totally different, plus everything I've read and watched indicated that Batch was part of the menu, which of course is actually isn't! I also managed to discover myself, luckily, that I don't have a "Run the batch operation" command either, just a tiny gren tick!
Cheers again :laugh:
I've had the same problem!
I think it's a case of not seeing the woods for the trees.
Ziplock9000 said:
I've had the same problem!
I think it's a case of not seeing the woods for the trees.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Facebookesque "like" !
just wanna say i got this from a Google search and WOW silly me.... totally missed that silly icon.
lol thanks guys.
man this was frustrating me sooo much! As always XDA has all the answers
I found the answer here too .... I really can't imagine anyone figuring this out without googling for the answer
Yea I dont know when the app was updated but I was going crazy looking for the batch option as well. I don't think I ever would have figured this out on my own. Thanks to search!!!!
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
I had this problem, someone should do an updated tutorial.
I'm also glad to be forewarned of the other missing menu item.
I also googled and ended up here on how to back up.
Why did they remove the batch option in the menu?
gordito_gr said:
I also googled and ended up here on how to back up.
Why did they remove the batch option in the menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too! It seems crazy to make such a drastic change to the UI and not make sure ALL users (even us non-changelog-readers) will find out about it.
Thanks
Guys, thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
I made my user account just to pay you all some props .....
hey thanks! i will try this!
I never expected this thread to still be going! I'm very pleased to have been able to bring this issue to people's attention, and that we're able to let more people know about it.
Okay,
So, I finally upgraded from my old POS HTC TP2 and got a Samsung Siii, which so far is beyond description. However, being that I'm primarily a Windows Developer, and VERY used to the way windows operates, I am finding it rather difficult to adjust to system level configurations with the Android OS.
Like, in windows there's a Registry, which on the phone or on the computer if you know what you are doing you can configure manually and effect massive changes to the system. But I can't seem to find anything like that for the Android OS, which make some sense, but there are some things I'd like to change:
Screen real-estate.
So I go from this TP2 which had like a 2 inch screen, and 480x600 or something, to this SIII with a 4.6 inch screen and damn near double the resolution. but on my Tp2 I could see like 10-12 emails/texts listed, and with Cookie's Home Screen, I could have up to 25 apps on one screen.
Given Screen Dynamics, I should very simply be able to see 20 emails/texts on screen, and 60 apps, but like people who move from a 1280x1024 desktop to a 2048x1280, their resolution goes up, but they also increase the size of the icons and fonts so effectively their desktop real-estate hasn't changed. Working visual Studio (and most other editors not used for WYSIWYG documents like Word) my font size is like 7-8pt type on 1680x1050 resolution. I am not visually impaired here, so I can read small print on a big screen, yet I even with the smallest font setting the default applications and text are MASSIVE. I can see like 8 text conversations and 7 emails. When you browse to a website the size is tiny, and I can zoom to an appropriate level, which currently provides 10 times the amout of information than the default home and app screens provide. Instead of "Small,Medium,Large" etc, is there any low level configuration where I can define the icon/font DPI to say that true 7pt type is perfectly acceptable for me? Are there any Apps that do this?
Texts & Emails.
Not to say that I'm much of a nay-sayer, but do we have to have stupid little bubbles for my chat screen? I mean, simply list them out in text. It's called texting, not "comic book bubbling". the bubbles get in the way and I'd simply like to make them a simple line by line. Sure the emote icons can be drawn in, and with other graphics to indicate attachments and such, but can I turn off "bubble texting" and just so me a direct list. This (with the font changes) would allow me to follow two weeks worth of text history with any one contact instead of having to remember my bubbles are on the right theirs on the left. (of course a good starting point would be to be able to reverse that). Can any of this be done easily?
As for Email, well It was an "add on" to my old TP2, but I would like a simple one-click way to "Mark all as read". I do not use GMail nor ever will. I own two domain names and my emails come through there. So the GMail client is out. The default client, as aforementioned, only shows like 7 emails in either a categorized today,yesterday,etc view, or a conversation threaded view. I just want a list: Line 1: Sender and Date, Line 2: Subject. And a simple button to click at the top that says: Mark All Read. I shouldn't have to check each email and then mark read, and with the categories if any emails are already read, the option defaults to mark unread so I have to check, mark unread, check, and mark read to get them all. I have like 6 different email accounts, with multiple aliases, and I'm on many newsletters and other such things, so I get quite a few emails daily, but I don't always need to read them. So far i've looked around and haven't found much in the way of email applications that will do what I want, which Mozilla Thunderbird (and my old TP2) do quite readily.
Mostly, I'm looking for ways to truly manipulate this device to the max, so that I can truly treat it like a portable computer. I used my old tp2 (while it was functioning) is a primary universal communications device, and I know I will do the same with the SIII, but to make my experience more enjoyable I need some starting points to determine if I can easily configure this thing to work my way. (Nah, i'm not a control freak, )
Thanks
Jaeden "Sifo Dyas" al'Raec Ruiner
There is a way to make everything smaller. There is a build.prop file. If you open it You should be able to find line like lcddensity (just look for lcd or density). Default is 240 but if You make it smaller everything will be smaller. Also You can have more icons on Your laincher when You're using better launcher. I'm using adw launcher ex and it has this option. Also the sms bubble thing. Take a look for "go sms pro" on android market. It has plenty of options
Sent from my X10i using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the pointers. So i need a different launcher, and the sms/email apps to solve my other problems. Great.
As for the "build.prop" file. Is that something that I will have to use the sdk and like rebuild the OS (basically, "root" the phone)?
Thanks
J"SD"a'RR
JaedenRuiner said:
Thanks for the pointers. So i need a different launcher, and the sms/email apps to solve my other problems. Great.
As for the "build.prop" file. Is that something that I will have to use the sdk and like rebuild the OS (basically, "root" the phone)?
Thanks
J"SD"a'RR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah root is required. If You have that You can just open it as normal *.txt file. Root Explorer is best for doing it
Sent from my X10i using xda app-developers app
JaedenRuiner said:
Thanks for the pointers. So i need a different launcher, and the sms/email apps to solve my other problems. Great.
As for the "build.prop" file. Is that something that I will have to use the sdk and like rebuild the OS (basically, "root" the phone)?
Thanks
J"SD"a'RR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root would be required, but in most cases, you don't have to start from scratch to gain root, only if you flash a new or custom rom, so, no rebuilding the OS in most cases. the build.prop tweaks and custom launchers are a great start, but you might want to research the custom recovery for your device, so that you can make a nandroid backup, and restore in the event that you change something that causes issues that you can't fix..it's a good precaiution at any rate if you plan on doing a lot of poking around.,
jakuburban said:
Yeah root is required. If You have that You can just open it as normal *.txt file. Root Explorer is best for doing it
Sent from my X10i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, great. this is effing priceless. So I root the phone. I get a build.prop editor, I change the lcd density so I can get more info on screen and what happens. TouchWiz has stopped working.
Home doesn't work, nothing works. the phone is as useless as a paperclip as a paperweight. even better, the kies install still works only a 3rd the time (at best) so plugging it in via usb i can't even access the device. There appears to be no key combo command to tell the thing to use its internal flash recovery to restore factory defaults, and I can't access the build.prop file from my computer in order to change the file back to its original settings.
very helpful, i must say, winmo6.5 may have sucked, but it worked. this android crap really is NOT user friendly.
As a programmer I believe in "ultimate user customization". and yet I either have to suffer under google bird brained ideas of how things will work, or have a different phone. the very fact that I cannot just RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULT. albiet that woudl suck too, but so far it's all about this ODIN crap. why isn't the factory ROM on the phone itself? all i did was root it and edit one file. if that breaks android so easily, it really needs to be taken back to the drawing board.
[EDIT]
And now I've found the way to get to the factory restore...but it doesn't effing restore. cause I'm still getting the same error after the restore. at least my POS HTC tP2 when i RESTORED it, it flashed EVERYTHING back to factory defaults, including the system files I changed. I now have a brand new SIII that is worthless.
Jaeden "Sifo Dyas" al'Raec Ruiner.
Have a bit of patience with yourself mate. I too came from WM (Touch Diamond, Touch HD and then a HD2) and I'm a Windows developer by profession, so Android was completely alien to me. The Linux crowd are sorted but we've got a steep learning curve ahead of us
All you've told us about your current problem is that "nothing works". Can you tell us what actually happens when you turn the phone on? Is it booting okay and getting to where you'd expect to see a home screen?
JaedenRuiner said:
yea, great. this is effing priceless. So I root the phone. I get a build.prop editor, I change the lcd density so I can get more info on screen and what happens. TouchWiz has stopped working.
Home doesn't work, nothing works. the phone is as useless as a paperclip as a paperweight. even better, the kies install still works only a 3rd the time (at best) so plugging it in via usb i can't even access the device. There appears to be no key combo command to tell the thing to use its internal flash recovery to restore factory defaults, and I can't access the build.prop file from my computer in order to change the file back to its original settings.
very helpful, i must say, winmo6.5 may have sucked, but it worked. this android crap really is NOT user friendly.
As a programmer I believe in "ultimate user customization". and yet I either have to suffer under google bird brained ideas of how things will work, or have a different phone. the very fact that I cannot just RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULT. albiet that woudl suck too, but so far it's all about this ODIN crap. why isn't the factory ROM on the phone itself? all i did was root it and edit one file. if that breaks android so easily, it really needs to be taken back to the drawing board.
[EDIT]
And now I've found the way to get to the factory restore...but it doesn't effing restore. cause I'm still getting the same error after the restore. at least my POS HTC tP2 when i RESTORED it, it flashed EVERYTHING back to factory defaults, including the system files I changed. I now have a brand new SIII that is worthless.
Jaeden "Sifo Dyas" al'Raec Ruiner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much did You change the value? Some of the apps(very few) don't support even a small change, and if You changed it like about 30+ then launchers may have problems.(in this case it has). You can copy files from & to phone using adb commands, even when You can't do anything. You can install e.g. ADW Launcher (program in my description does that) that should work and would bring Your phone back to life. There is also other way to repair it, but I hope You made a backup (this is "must to do" thing if You change sth. in ROM, especially when somebody is a noob and doesn't know a way how to repair it) , or just a backup of build.prop (50% chances that it will work).
Making factory reset won't help. Samsung Kies was always a crappy thing and never worked. Try odin to reflash ROM (if You didn't make a backup). And one important thing. Is it a custom ROM, do You have flashable package somewhere on the pc or phone? If so don't use ODIN yet. And send me this ROM. (is this *.zip file, not *.img?) There is a chance to restore build.prop.
PS. I understand You have usb debugging enabled?
Archer said:
Have a bit of patience with yourself mate. I too came from WM (Touch Diamond, Touch HD and then a HD2) and I'm a Windows developer by profession, so Android was completely alien to me. The Linux crowd are sorted but we've got a steep learning curve ahead of us
All you've told us about your current problem is that "nothing works". Can you tell us what actually happens when you turn the phone on? Is it booting okay and getting to where you'd expect to see a home screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After i changed the lcd_density, it rebooted and came to my lock screen. everything was smaller as I hoped, so i began punching in my PIN. then a small dialog popped up saying TouchWiz UI had stopped. I hit okay, and figured the lcd density I had chosen must be incompatible. So I pressed OK, figuring I would jump back in and change it back. I typed in the PIN and hit OK. My home screen background game up, but the bottom App row (5 icons) wasn't there. another dialog about the TouchWiz UI popped up. I pressed OK. Then a dialog saying System UI had failed. after 4 or 5 dialogs I could no longer press the OK button, like it either wouldn't recognize my touch or was "disabled" or something. so I tried to reboot the phone (holding the power button in to get to the reboot menu). It rebooted with the exact same behavior. Knowing that the phone was rooted I let it reboot, and tried plugging it back into my PC.
Now, even before I did all the advanced changes, when plugged into the computer, the SPH-L710 node in explorer only comes up a quarter of the time, so now, i plugged in and unplugged until the node appeared to allow me to explore the phone, figuring it is "rooted" now so I should be able to get to the build.prop file some how and change it. No such luck.
I played with the button presses hoping to find some soft-key combination that would "restore factory defaults". Took some intuitive leaps, and remembered power+VolDn+home lead me to download mode. and that when rebooting the guide had told me to use power+volup+home to get to "recovery". so I tried that, which lead me to the "Stock Recovery Mode" screen. (rather different than the ClockworkMod Recovery I used to root the device).
At this point I selected the third option, "wipe data/restore factory settings". (yes, I had backed up the device before i performed all this so I'm not "worried" just annoyed). the phone when through the process and claimed the restore was complete so in the menu I selected to reboot and it popped back up asking all the same initial questions it had when it was first turned on. thinking "yea" i'd solved the issue, it booted in asking for my name and yadda, yadda, yadda, when suddenly the SAME TouchWiz UI error pops up. again. skipping over the initial configuration stuff, it got to the psuedo lock screen, saying slide to unlock, and i see 4 icons at the bottom (not 5) and again the TouchWiz UI and System UI errors pop up repeatedly. I can't select any of the icons at the bottom, and I am now without a phone untill I can simply alter 3 characters in a text file, which I can't get to.
I get the learning curve and all, but if this build.prop file is so critical, factory reset should reset it too. it apparently does not, and so until i can somehow alter that file to set the lcd density back to 320 i'm screwed.
J"SD"a'RR
jakuburban said:
You can copy files from & to phone using adb commands, even when You can't do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well first step is finding ADB. I downloaded the SDK but couldn't find adb anywhere in the sdk tree. once I do find it, using it will be amusing to say the least.
jakuburban said:
There is also other way to repair it, but I hope You made a backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course i backed up the phone with my data. But unless I get it to boot in the standard home screen with the applications I can't restore the data.
jakuburban said:
or just a backup of build.prop (50% chances that it will work).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what purpose would this serve. the build.prop editor I used made a backup, but again untill i can get into the phone I can't restore this backup.
jakuburban said:
Making factory reset won't help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which in mymind (as a developer) this is a bad design. any 'breaking' change should be repairable by a factory reset.
jakuburban said:
Samsung Kies was always a crappy thing and never worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
needed it for the usb drivers, that's all.
jakuburban said:
Try odin to reflash ROM (if You didn't make a backup).
And one important thing. Is it a custom ROM, do You have flashable package somewhere on the pc or phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not custom rom or anything. I've had the phone for a week and was finally getting tired of not having certain things the way I wanted them. so I'd figured I'd dig around. I found many tutorials on the rooting of this phone and since they were all very similar I went with this one:
How to Root SPHL710
that part wen off just fine. seemed there was nothing for me to worry about. there was no ROM or crazy changes, just wanted to give myself root access. I then wanted to change LCD density, so I tried it and here I am.
jakuburban said:
PS. I understand You have usb debugging enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it wasn't essential for what I was doing at the time. ODIN worked for the root process. *shrug* can't change it now, so I hope it isn't necessary.
J"SD"a''
JaedenRuiner said:
well first step is finding ADB. I downloaded the SDK but couldn't find adb anywhere in the sdk tree. once I do find it, using it will be amusing to say the least.
Of course i backed up the phone with my data. But unless I get it to boot in the standard home screen with the applications I can't restore the data.
what purpose would this serve. the build.prop editor I used made a backup, but again untill i can get into the phone I can't restore this backup.
which in mymind (as a developer) this is a bad design. any 'breaking' change should be repairable by a factory reset.
needed it for the usb drivers, that's all.
not custom rom or anything. I've had the phone for a week and was finally getting tired of not having certain things the way I wanted them. so I'd figured I'd dig around. I found many tutorials on the rooting of this phone and since they were all very similar I went with this one:
How to Root SPHL710
that part wen off just fine. seemed there was nothing for me to worry about. there was no ROM or crazy changes, just wanted to give myself root access. I then wanted to change LCD density, so I tried it and here I am.
it wasn't essential for what I was doing at the time. ODIN worked for the root process. *shrug* can't change it now, so I hope it isn't necessary.
J"SD"a''
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I see that You made a backup with some app (Titanium Backup?), not CWM or (whatever You have) recovery. That's crappy. (My bad, I could have told You about that)
Enabling usb debugging now is impossible so I think, all that's left to reflash with Odin. All the hope was in adb controlling, which REQUIRES usb debugging.
Sent from my X10i using xda app-developers app
jakuburban said:
So I see that You made a backup with some app (Titanium Backup?), not CWM or (whatever You have) recovery. That's crappy. (My bad, I could have told You about that)
Enabling usb debugging now is impossible so I think, all that's left to reflash with Odin. All the hope was in adb controlling, which REQUIRES usb debugging.
Sent from my X10i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, I pretty much made that call yesterday, as all the ADB struff I tried didn't work. (but it was worth while for the learning process). I flashed with stock rom, and now i'm up and running. (guess I won't be messing with that setting again. ) as it is, i'm trying different launchers which has some of the features I want, and then I'll keep looking for different email/sms apps that shrink the info. (seriously on this size/res of screen, only seeing 8 emails is pathetic).
basically now trying the Apex Launcher, and then I'll do the ADW launcher. which ever is more to my liking i'll go pro. then handcent or gosms, k9 or others, or perhaps i'll even start writing my own clients that include font setting micro, .
thanks though, at least my first attempt to alter the phone is no different than my first attempt to write a program.
Cheers,
Jaeden "Sifo Dyas" al'Reac Ruiner
JaedenRuiner said:
yea, I pretty much made that call yesterday, as all the ADB struff I tried didn't work. (but it was worth while for the learning process). I flashed with stock rom, and now i'm up and running. (guess I won't be messing with that setting again. ) as it is, i'm trying different launchers which has some of the features I want, and then I'll keep looking for different email/sms apps that shrink the info. (seriously on this size/res of screen, only seeing 8 emails is pathetic).
basically now trying the Apex Launcher, and then I'll do the ADW launcher. which ever is more to my liking i'll go pro. then handcent or gosms, k9 or others, or perhaps i'll even start writing my own clients that include font setting micro, .
thanks though, at least my first attempt to alter the phone is no different than my first attempt to write a program.
Cheers,
Jaeden "Sifo Dyas" al'Reac Ruiner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad to hear that Before messing with the system ALWAYS make a CWM backup, not some app backup (like titanuim backup).
PS. I use ADW Launcher EX. It's the best for me. Tried other but this one is the best.